ERIC SUCAR staff Freehold High School's Mike Hembling waits for a throw as a base runner from Lawrence High School slides into second base during a preseason scrimmage in Freehold Borough on March 20. The spring sports season for area high school teams will begin on April 2. More ... Teens feed drug habit from medicine cabinet Marlboro High School to host seminar on emerging issue April 8 BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Adults in Marlboro and other area communities may be asking themselves some questions these days. Questions like, "Are my prescriptions running out faster than I expected?" and "Has my teenager mentioned 'pharming' for the upcoming weekend? More ... Police foot patrols topic of committee discussion Panel member says he would like to see more officers in neighborhoods BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - Police officers can be seen on foot patrol in the borough's downtown area on a daily basis from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. For some residents, however, that may not be enough. The subject of whether police officers should be assigned foot patrol in other areas of the town was discussed at t... More ... Green, Garcia get GOP nod to run for Manalapan seats BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Ryan Green and William Garcia have been selected by the members of the Manalapan Republican County Committee to be the Republican Party candidates for two seats on the Township Committee. Green is a 20-year resident of Manalapan and is currently a member of the Manalapan-Englishtown ... More ... Roth and Holland selected by Dems BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       MANALAPAN - Donald Holland has been chosen to run with Michelle Roth on the Democratic Party line for two Township Committee seats that will be up for grabs this year. Roth was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the committee in 2004. She was elected to a three-year term in November in 2005 and ... More ... Chase Bank gets approval for Marlboro Plaza branch BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - A new Chase Bank branch will be moving into the Marlboro Plaza, Route 9 north, after gaining preliminary and final site plan approval from the Planning Board on March 5. Mayor Jonathan Hornik said of the project, "I'm pleased with the clean commercial ratable and the bank itself. More ... Volunteer program will result in home fix-ups World Changers coming to repair residences in Freehold Boro, Neptune BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - For young people, summer usually means swimming, skateboarding and having a good time. This summer a group of at least 300 young people will do more than that. They will help to change the world of some local families - one at a time. More ... Rotary club presents donations       FREEHOLD - The executive board of the Freehold Rotary Club recently distributed $12,950 to local charities. The presentations were made during a luncheon that was held at the Main Street Bistro on March 25. More ... Homeless cats find foster care with senior citizens BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       Eileen McDonnell wants to help senior citizens and retirees with limited income to experience the joy and companionship of a pet cat. With no cost for veterinary fees and help with food and litter if needed, Mc- Donnell can partner a suitable cat with a senior who is willing to act as a foster ca... More ... DiBella, Schomaker will not run in Howell BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - There will be a new mayor and at least one new Township Council member in office in January. Republican Mayor Joseph DiBella has announced that he will not seek re-election for a second four-year term as mayor. At the same time, Republican Councilwoman Cynthia Schomaker announced that ... More ... Blithely spring forward!       Long ago and far away, almost every living room in our little Bavarian town had a plant called "Zimmer Linde." These Abutilon hybrids, a hibiscus relative, are now undergoing a renaissance in the garden. New breeding has them bursting out all over. Heat- and humidity-tolerant, they add a new dime... More ... Office, warehouse space gains planners' approval Zoning board members had earlier expressed objections to proposal BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       MARLBORO - Preliminary site plan approval has been granted to Ambten Road Associates LLC by the Planning Board for a two-story, 22,430-square-foot office and warehouse space on the north corner of Amboy and Tennent roads. The facility will not include any retail space, which had been part of the... More ... Turner encourages women to aspire to career success BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       LAKEWOOD - Members of the Georgian Court University community gathered on March 4 to hear Dr. Debbye Turner, a CBS television correspondent and former Miss America, present a lecture "On Being a Woman in a Man's World. More ... State department cuts more shift than slash BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       Gov. Jon Corzine's proposal to cut three departments in the state government, if approved by the Legislature, will be less of an elimination and more of a merger, according to some state officials. During the governor's budget address on Feb. More ... Library cafés debut in Manalapan, Shrewsbury BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       Next time the urge for a cup of coffee or a snack happens, think a trip to the local library. Two branches of the Monmouth County Library System have instituted café food areas complete with tables and chairs: the Library Headquarters in Manalapan and the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury. More ... Committee honors Cub Scouts       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The Township Committee recently honored Cub Scout Pack 155 of Freehold with a proclamation for "outstanding efforts, achievements and dedication to the community." Committeeman Raymond Kershaw presented the proclamation to Cub Scout Pack 155 during its annual Blue and Gold Ban... More ... Florida teen arrested, faces multiple charges Indictment comes 2 years after serious accident in Howell, May 30, 2006       On Feb. 25 a Monmouth County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Robert Bayly, 19, of Cape Coral, Fla., with one count of thirddegree assault by auto and one count of fourth-degree assault by auto. These charges pertain to a 2006 motor vehicle accident that occurred in Howell. More ... Kean choir and chorale to perform in Freehold       FREEHOLD - The Kean University Concert Choir and Chorale will present a concert titled "Festival of World Choral Music" at St. Peter's Church on April 4 at 7:30 p.m. St. Peter's is at the corner of Main and Throckmorton streets in downtown Freehold. The public is invited to attend this evening of... More ... Freehold man faces charges; loaded weapon found in car BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD - A Freehold Borough man was arrested on March 17 and charged with multiple violations, including possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS). According to Freehold Borough police Lt. Mark Wodell, Nathaniel McDonald, 23, was charged in connection with ... More ... Spa returns from fire as updated day resort BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       Stagflation? Recession? Bah! Sometimes you have to forget the troubles of a work-a-day world, milk the budget every now and then for a little extra and splurge for some special me-time. Avanti Day Resort, in the Design Center on Route 9 south, Manalapan, now offers people a chance to do just that... More ... Walnford hosts mill demos       UPPER FREEHOLD - It's all about food this spring at Historic Walnford in Crosswicks Creek Park. Visitors are invited to see how corn goes from ear to mouth during free gristmill demonstrations that take place from 1-4 p.m. on weekends starting April 5 and continuing through November. More ...